Tarique-Takaichi meet in Tokyo on Oct 27

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will hold bilateral talks with his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on October 27 to strengthen bilateral relations, deepen economic partnerships and increase Japanese investment in Bangladesh.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam disclosed this at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today, outlining the Prime Minister’s official visit to Japan beginning on October 26.

The visit will take place at the invitation of the Japanese premier. Dhaka and Tokyo simultaneously announced the visit today.

Siam said the Prime Minister would lead the Bangladesh delegation to the high-level bilateral meeting at the Japanese premier’s office on October 27, the second day of the visit.

Takaichi will also host a luncheon in honour of the Bangladesh Prime Minister.

The foreign secretary said both sides were discussing draft memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements covering agriculture, fisheries, human resource development, skills, domestic aviation, trade, environmental conservation and local government modernisation.

“We hope that many of these MoUs will be signed during the visit,” he said.

Siam said the visit would provide a timely opportunity to deepen the existing strategic partnership and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

The foreign secretary said the signing of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in February 2026 had opened new opportunities for expanding bilateral trade and investment.

Discussions during the visit would focus on implementing the agreement, expanding access for Bangladeshi products to the Japanese market, attracting Japanese investment and strengthening business engagement, he added.

Renewable energy, agriculture, science and technology, digital transformation, skills development and human resource training would also feature in the discussions.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Forum.

His tentative programme also includes meetings with the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League and the chairman of the Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation.

Meetings are also being planned with the heads of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Sasakawa Peace Foundation.

Siam said the Prime Minister was expected to visit energy and industrial installations, including an LNG terminal and power plant, a nuclear headquarters and a Toyota plant in Nagoya.

He said Japan remained one of Bangladesh’s key development partners, supporting major infrastructure and transport projects, including the metro rail, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s Third Terminal and Matarbari.

The visit is expected to help accelerate ongoing projects, attract fresh private investment and strengthen economic, development and security cooperation, he said.

Japanese support for establishing factories in Bangladesh, generating employment and developing human resources would receive particular attention in line with the Prime Minister’s priorities.

Beyond bilateral cooperation, Siam said, the two leaders would discuss regional and international peace and stability, a lasting and peaceful solution to the Rohingya crisis, cooperation on the global energy crisis and efforts to end international conflicts.